Tag Archives: samurai armor

If you have seen the Tom Cruise movie The Last Samurai, you may think that being a samurai was all fun and games. While there was an element of that, being one of these famous warriors was not completely glamorous. … Continue reading →

Throughout the history of Japan, one class of people stands out above the rest…the Samurai warriors. As skilled military men, these guys ruled the country’s identity from the 9th to the 19th centuries leaving a lasting impression. They were knowledgeable, … Continue reading →

In the Hall of Fame of Japanese history, few have been of greater influence than samurai warrior Oda Nobunaga. He was merely one man, but brought a nation together. He stood tall and fought strong, even unto death with impressive … Continue reading →

In examining codes of behavior, I am sure you are familiar with chivalry, but have you heard of Bushido? Literally meaning “the way of the warrior”, Bushido is a Japanese word for the way of the samurai life. Basically, this … Continue reading →

Oda Nobunaga was a trouble-maker from the start. Born in 1534 as the son of the lord of the Owari province in Japan, he came to power at age 15 after his father’s death. Scandal began immediately as Nobunaga’s behavior … Continue reading →

With Friends like Takeda Shingen, Who Needs Enemies? When your friends/enemies/frenemies’ nickname for you is “Tiger,” watch out – you are a BAMF to the nth degree… as was the “Tiger of Kai,” a famous Japanese military leader by the … Continue reading →

Not to be outdone by their European counterparts, the warriors of Japan decided to blacksmith their way into the armor game around the 4th century A.D. The first samurai armor cuirass was called “tanko,” maybe because it made the samurai … Continue reading →